Association of British Bookmakers appoints new Chairman

The ABB has now confirmed the appointment of Paul Darling QC as the new Chairman of the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) with effect from 1st May 2014.

Paul is a barrister, and was called to the Bar in 1983. His practice is focussed principally in the areas of construction, engineering and energy law. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1999 and Head of Keating Chambers in 2010. Paul is also Chairman of the Sports Ground Safety Authority, which is a Government appointment.

Paul was a Non-Executive Director at the Tote (2006-2008) and became a Government Appointed Member of the Horserace Betting Levy Board (Levy Board) in 2008. Paul will step down from the Levy Board upon taking up his appointment at the ABB.

“I am delighted that Paul has agreed to join the ABB Council as our new Chairman. The Licensed Betting Office (LBO) sector, and its historic position as a positive part of local communities, has never been under such intense scrutiny. Paul will bring independence and intellect to the challenges facing the ABB and its members. I have no doubt that he will both challenge our strategy and become an eloquent and positive advocate for the role that LBOs play in their local communities. He is also a strong supporter of British Racing and has a deep understanding of the symbiotic relationship between racing and betting. I wish him well in a role that I am sure he will find interesting, challenging and enormous fun.”

Commenting on his appointment Paul Darling said:

“I am very pleased to take up the appointment as Chairman of the Association of British Bookmakers. Despite the undoubted difficulties which the bookmaking industry faces, I know that this is an exciting time to be involved in it, and I relish the challenge. I very much hope to contribute to an analytical evidence-based approach to the issues.

From my time as a Director of the Tote (2006-08), I have been a long term supporter of betting offices as an important part of vibrant local communities. I am also a lifelong supporter of British Horseracing and I look forward to continuing the recent constructive dialogue between the bookmaking industry and racing. In the current (difficult) climate much can be achieved by racing and bookmaking working together and I look forward, as Chairman of the ABB, to continuing to foster a more positive relationship between bookmakers and the sports that they support, most notably British Horseracing”.